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He won re-election last week, although not without a touch of electoral fraud, according to his critics.

But what of the soon-to-be ex-president, Dmitry Medvedev? He's likely to become Russia's next Prime Minister.

Four years ago, though, he was the United States' new best friend.

Some Russia watchers think the Obama Administration bet its much-vaunted 'reset' strategy with Russia on its relationship with Medvedev. He certainly seemed to fit the part of a cuddly liberalizer with a fondness for Western-style economies.

The question is: was falling in love with Medvedev a gamble worth taking?